How do French words like “cul-de-sac” and “hors d’oeuvres“ end up part of the English language without being translated to English words?
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When the upper classes in England were very likely to know French, but the lower classes were not, there was a period especislly in the 19th century when it was very fashionable to use French words for fancy things, to imply you were fancy enough to know French. Especially around cuisine, as fine French cuisine was so highly regarded. Other people who spoke French would understand, and many words trickled into regular use. English and French have of course been in contact and trading words in different historical contexts for a thousand years.
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